San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park honors the soldiers who fought in the battle between the U.S. and Californio forces on December 6, 1846 in the midst of the Mexican-American War. Generals Stephen Kearny and Andres Pico both claimed victory. The battle was only one of the military encounters in California in the war, but it proved to be the bloodiest and most controversial as to the outcome. The park has been set aside, not as a monument to war, but as a reminder of the human ideals, actions, and passions that can drive nations to bloodshed.

The park offers exhibits; tours; and occasional recreational and educational events, including living history events.

The Fort Verde State Historic Park commemorates Fort Verde, which was in use between 1865 to 1891, rendering it an Indian Wars period fortification. By 1865, area settlers had demanded protection from the local Native American peoples, and the Army responded by sending volunteer units—almost entirely of Mexican heritage. A number of original structures still stand. Visitors can enter three historic living quarters (those of the commanding officer, bachelors, and the doctors and surgeons), furnished in the style of the 1880s.

The park offers exhibits, period rooms, an introductory film, and a picnic area.

The half-acre Casa Navarro State Historic Site preserves the restored home of Tejano patriot José Antonio Navarro (1795–1871). Today, visitors can tour Navarro's adobe home furnished with period antiques, read copies of his writing, and discuss questions of history with informed interpreters. Casa Navarro is the only historic site in San Antonio dedicated to the interpretation of the Mexican history and heritage of Texas, as seen through the life of Navarro, a prominent San Antonio merchant, rancher, and statesman. According to the site, "Navarro served as a member of the Texas legislatures under Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the State of Texas. Representing San Antonio Tejanos, he signed the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836. Navarro was the first Tejano to write about the history of Texas. He was an influential political figure during the momentous 55 years when the destiny of Texas was forged, from 1810 to 1865. Navarro is best known as 'the strongest defender of the rights of his people.'"

The site offers period rooms, tours, copies of Navarro's writings, and on-site docents.

Pío de Jesus Pico is one of California's most remarkable historical figures. He witnessed, shaped, and influenced nearly a century of California history in the 1800s. Pío Pico was the governor of California in 1832 and again in 1846 before and during the Mexican-American War. His adobe home at "El Ranchito" has been completely restored to how it appeared in the 1880s, letting visitors experience and celebrate his life and times. The five-acre park encompasses historic gardens and the beautiful restored adobe home of Pío Pico. A bell marks the original El Camino Real, which passed directly in front of the park during Pío Pico's time. The park was once part of Pío Pico’s 9,000 acre ranch, Rancho Paso de Bartolo. Visitors can enjoy the park with picnics, bird watching, and exploring the parks features, including a 15-room adobe with interpretive displays, an horno (bread oven), a dovecote, and a children's archaeological sand box.

The park offers exhibits; tours; educational programs; and recreational and educational events, including living history events.

The Cooper-Molera Adobe was fully restored in the 1980s and now shows visitors the full elegance and wealth of the John Rogers Cooper family. In addition to the home, the adobe also has two full acres which are open to visitors. Visitors can see the barns, vegetable and fruit gardens, and farm animals that the Cooper family owned.

The home offers guided tours. The website offers basic historical and visitor information.

Coronado Island in the Bay of San Diego has a rich and storied history dating back to early Spanish explorers in the new world. The island was first surveyed in the early 17th century, but was not settled until 1846, when Mexico, newly independent from Spain, gave land grants to prospective settlers for Coronado Island. The Island then became a popular resort destination in the late 19th century, when the Hotel Del Coronado was built. Now, the southern portion of the island is owned by the United States Navy, and the northern part of the island is a popular suburb of San Diego. The Coronado museum gives visitors a taste of this rich history as well as art produced by local San Diego area artists.

The site offers visitor information, information about current, past, and upcoming exhibits, information on the art galleries currently available, an online store, and an events calendar.

Historic Washington is a restored 19th-century town with 45 historic structures. Classic examples of Southern Greek Revival, Federal, Gothic Revival, and Italianate architecture stand as a legacy to life in Washington from 1824 to 1889. From its establishment in 1824, Washington was an important stop on the rugged Southwest Trail to Mexico, and later, Texas. James Bowie, Sam Houston, and Davy Crockett each traveled through Washington at various times. Vistiors can stroll the plank boardwalks along streets that have never been paved, and explore this tree-shaded town many call "the Colonial Williamsburg of the Southwest."

The site offers exhibits, tours, demonstrations, research library access, workshops, and educational and recreational events (including living history events).

This historic rancho, now a living history museum, dates from the early 1700s and was an important paraje, or stopping point, along the famous Camino Real, the Royal Road from Mexico City to Santa Fe, NM.

The site offers demonstrations, tours, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park presents the opportunity to experience the history of early San Diego by providing a connection to the past. Visitors can learn about life in the Mexican and early American periods of 1821 to 1872, as converging cultures transformed San Diego from a Mexican pueblo to an American settlement. The core of restored original historic buildings from the interpretive period are complemented by reconstructed sites, along with early 20th-century buildings designed in the same mode. The Historic Plaza remains a gathering place for community events and historic activity. Five original adobe buildings are part of the historic park, which includes museums, unique retail shops, and several restaurants. La Casa de Estudillo is a mansion built around a garden courtyard. La Casa de Machado y Stewart is full of artifacts that reflect ordinary life of the period. Some of the other historic buildings include the Mason Street School (California's first public schoolhouse), La Casa de Machado y Silvas, the San Diego Union Printing Office (site of the city's oldest surviving newspaper office), and the first brick courthouse. The Seeley Stables Museum, with newly rehabilitated exhibits on overland transportation, houses one of the finest wagon and carriage collections. Visitors can experience a working blacksmith shop, enjoy music, see or touch the park's burros, and engage in activities that represent early San Diego.

The park offers exhibits, tours, living history events and programs, and other recreational and educational events.